Lanier Civil War Days (June 15, 16, 2013; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) $3 per adult; $1 per child. Experience the life and culture of Civil War-era Madison, Ind., during Lanier Civil War Days. Watch re-enactors recreate Civil War battles, visit with Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee, listen to period music; see Victorian-era artisans demonstrate their skills, enjoy period food and drink and play historic games. ~ Lanier Website

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One highlight of summertime in Madison is the monthly free concerts at the Broadway Fountain. These downtown events are organized by Visit Madison and the Madison Main Street Program. They offer local resident another great reason to come out and enjoy Madison’s Historic District.

Browse our pictures below for a sample of the fun. Bedsides the concert, they had food trucks, classic cars, face painting, and just about all the best people in town hanging around.

Admission is free — as always. Take a lawn chair to the Broadway Fountain and enjoy the music from 7 to 9 p.m. Dancing is encouraged! It’s always a fun evening at Music in the Park. ~ Madison Main Street

2013 Music in the Park Schedule

• Friday, June 14 — The Rumors
• Friday, July 12 — Jimmy Davis Band
• Friday, Aug. 9 — Slick River Rockets
• Saturday, Sept. 28 – Big Leg Emma

Related Posts:

1. The Broadway Fountain,Why So Dry?
2. Madison Community Concert Band
3. Light Up Madison 2012

The Madison Farmer’s Market is open every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Most booths are open by 8:30 AM and stay until Noon. We claim the oldest farmer’s market in Indiana, operating since 1809.

• For more details, visit the official website.
• Read more from the Madison Courier’s article

Spring visitors will find free range eggs, plants, honey, baked goods and music. As a Saturday treat when the weather is warmer, Paradise Cove Catering will be cooking its famous fresh-air breakfast.

Here are a few photos from the 2013 season.

Related Posts:

1. St. Patrick’s Celebration in Downtown Madison
2. Red Pepperoni: New Downtown Pizzeria

For more detailed information about next year’s event, be sure to call the visitor’s center (812-265-2956).

March in Madison, Downtown “St. Paddy’s Party”

Taste of Ireland $20..00 Per Person. Sample 5 traditional Irish dishes at participating restaurants. Advance Tickets required at the Visitors Center and participating restaurants.

Irish Road Bowling. (kilts optional) in the alley South of Main between West & Jefferson Street. (sign up at Jefferson St.)

Leprechaun Costume: prize to be awarded. Stores wiil be open later for shopping. You can enjoy free Trolley Rides, bagpipers, step dancing, and random leprechaun sightings.

You can learn more about St. Patrick’s Day on Wikipedia. Just watch out for Leprechauns,

Related Posts:

1. Red Pepperoni: New Downtown Pizzeria
2. Video: Downtown Architecture in Madison Indiana
3. Hong Kong Kitchen: Chinese Food Downtown

There are more objective reasons to shop local. Madison Main Street issued a flyer about supporting local merchants. Here are some of their statistics:

68% of revenue earned at local independent businesses is recirculated into the local economy

43% of revenue earned at franchise businesses that are located in town are recirculated

0% of money spent through ONLINE shopping is re-invested into the local economy

The 3/50 Project is another shop local program with helpful statistics.

Our community has even more reason to support local business, namely our historic downtown and its surrounding natural beauty. There are very few small cities who enjoy this quality of life. The stronger our local economy, the stronger future Madison will enjoy.

Related Posts:

1. 10 Ways Regular People Can Make Madison Better
2. Pate’s Pantry: Hanover’s Local Butcher
3. Virtual Tour of Madison Shops & Restaurants

• Hinkle’s – Best Hamburger
• Crystal & Jules – Best Steak
• Key West Shrimp House - Best Seafood
• Broadway Tavern - best appetizers
• Crystal & Jules – Best dessert
• The Downtowner – Best Sandwhich
•  Sakka Blue – Best Asian Cuisine
• Tapatios – Best Mexican Food
• Bello’s – Best Pizza
• Papa John’s – Best Delivery Pizza
• Thomas Family Winery – Best Winery
• Whitehall – Best Bed & Breakfast
• Clifty Inn – Best overnight stay
• Ivy Vine – Best Florist
• Clifty Inn – Best View of Madison
• Clifty Inn – Best Reception Location
• Chautauqua – Best Festival
• Clifty Falls State Park – Best local attraction
• Soup, Stew, Chili, Brew – Best special event
• Madison Coffee & Tea – Best Coffee
• Mane Attractions – Best Haircut/Style
• joeyg’s – Best live music
• Horst’s Little Bakery Haus – Best breakfast
• Lumber Mill – Best antiques
• Cozy Acres – Best golf
• Historic Broadway Tavern – Best place to drink
• Cork-N-Bottle – Best liquor store
• Lanier Mansion – Best historic site
• Little Golden Fox – Best downtown shopping
• JC  Penny – Best hilltop shopping
• Cocoa Safari – Best specialty store
• Fit for the King – Best workout
• joeyg’s  - Best nightclub

Related Posts:

1. The Best Coffee in Madison Indiana

Snow Cancellation – Weds 6 March 2012

• Madison Consolidated Schools - CLOSED 3/6/13
• Southwestern (Hanover) Schools (link) - CLOSED 3/6/13
• Prince of Peace Catholic Schools - CLOSED 3/6/13
• Christian Academy of Madison (link)-  CLOSED 3/6/13
• Canaan Community Academy - CLOSED 3/6/13
• Switzerland County Schools - CLOSED 3/6/13
• Trimble County - CLOSED 3/6/13

More School Closing Information

Are you looking for information about school and business closings in Madison and Jefferson County Indiana? Then here is a list of websites that provide up to the minute details on which school systems are opened, closed, or delayed. Here’s the latest school closings for Jefferson County Indiana.

Related Video: Madison Indiana Snow Day 2009

Related Posts:

1. Madison Consolidated Schools 2011-2012 Balanced Calendar
2. Southwestern Schools in Hanover “Balanced Calendar” for 2011-2012
3. Snow Emergency for Madison & Jefferson County Indiana?

Follow the links below and discover a unique window into the community we share.

Ranking Logic: I was completely subjective, but did consider posting frequency and website aesthetics. Feel free to dispute the list (or even suggest additional entries) in the comment section below.

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#10 David’s Commonplace Book

This is a blogger’s blog – text heavy and idea rich. David’s wide ranging topics always find something to catch my interest. “The last shall be first…”

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#9 Corporal’s Corner

Wayne Engle retired from the Madison Courier, but he still has plenty of talent left for writing. On his blog you’ll find commentaries, stories, and reviews of various sorts.

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#8 Cool Pics Photography

Like all great photographers, Bernie Kasper is a genius. That’s what I discovered after playing around with my own digital camera. From senior pictures to capturing nature’s beauty, this man does it right. Don’t miss more of his work on Flickr.

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#7 Visit Madison Blog

We love their pictures and posts about local events happening in Madison. Even over the slow winter months they’ve been posting new material. Just please make Spring come a little sooner!

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#6 Miss Madison’s Blog

The team behind the Oh Boy! Oberto keep their fans up to speed throughout the year. We love the videos and pictures of exotic race sites. Most of all we want Steve David to win in July.

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#5 City of Madison Tumblr

What, did the Mayor just start a blog? Not exactly, but his office posts several articles each week with helpful information about city government and community events. Keep up the good work!

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#4 inMadisonIN

This website is your guide to all the best concerts, shops, and festivals in Madison. Plus their posts on Facebook keep everyone up to speed on community happenings. Rock on gentlemen!

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#3 Hanover Student Bloggers

Who knew college kids could write with such humor and wisdom!? These articulate women & men share a window into their college experience with short weekly posts. It makes me feel old, but I’m impressed with these future leaders.

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#2 You Think Too Much

Robyn Ryle never fails to post interesting and thoughtful articles. We especially love her Madison Monday series– everything she writes will make you think (and sometimes too much!)

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#1 Madison Came Running

Bob Cline was blogging before there was such a thing as blogs. His website continues to be the best place to keep up with the people & happenings of downtown Madison, Indiana.

Related Posts:

1. Food Bloggers Love Madison!
2. Traveling Marla Visits Madison

These short videos include some of my local favorites: Key West Shrimp House, Cocoa Safari Chocolates and several more.

Educators can find teaching plans to accompany this production on their website.

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The Georgetown Neighborhood is an often overlooked historic site in Madison, Indiana. It doesn’t have the grand tours and rarely makes the national travel press, but it’s well worth the time to experience via the HMI walking tour.

You can also learn more about this historic black settlement online. Here are a few documents to educate yourself about Georgetown and Madison’s role in the Underground Railroad.

• Read the National Parks Service guide to the area and the landmark AME Church built in 1850. They also detail Madison’s role in the Network to Freedom essay.
• Learn about the challenge of racial segregation in Madison’s history from local blogger Robyn Ryle
• Read a 2005 article from the Indianapolis Star about Madison’s African-American heritage.
• See a list of Jefferson County Historic markers on Wikipedia.

* Special thanks to Scott from Key West Shrimp House for posting the walking tour PDF.

Related Posts:

1. Travel Guide to Madison from the National Parks Service
2. “Marvelous Madison” Television Show